There is a very good reason why an unfit, overweight bloke in his sixties was paddling a kayak in the Med one Saturday morning a few weeks ago, writes Alf Bennett.

But the explanation goes back a little way.

Mallorca is well known to Brits for its well-tested temptations of sun, sand and … several other things But the north-east corner of the island has even more to offer – and has decided to tell the world.

The natural attractions of this part of the island – rugged coastline, unspoilt countryside – lend themselves to a range of outdoor activities.

Among them are bird-watching, hiking, mountain-biking, caving (the soft limestone means the island is as hole-y as Swiss Cheese) and canyoning.

And this new initiative to present the place as a year-round destination is how I found myself flogging through the waves in a ten-foot piece of plastic.

One of the activities on offer from the sporty Mon d'Aventura company is kayaking out of the little bay at Cala Molins and 30 euros gets you two and half hours of tootling around the coast of Mallorca under your own power.

If this sounds an unlikely activity for you, let me ask you to think again.

It is absolutely the greatest fun – and this from a person whose usual idea of exercise is turning the pages of the Guardian quickly.

In our two-seater kayak we did a respectable six kilometres, seeing this beautiful coastline from a whole new perspective.

Had we carried on, Barcelona was a mere ninety miles away. LOL, as they say.

But if this Action Man stuff absolutely isn't for you and you crave tranquility then salvation is just around the headland in Cala Sant Vicenc.

Two years ago the hotel, which bears the same name as the resort, was struggling. Then they hit upon the idea of making it adults only.

It was a stroke of genius.

There are no squawking children (bless their little hearts), no chocolate smears on the upholstery and a sense of peace and quiet that you can almost touch.

In the early afternoon after a nice lunch it is a blissful – and now thriving – place.

Our base for the exploration of this alternative outdoor Mallorca was the Hotel Uyal in Puerto Pollensa, ideally located on the seafront just yards from the beach.

Spaniards never really understand why we Brits take such delight in eating breakfast outdoors. That's because they don't live in a country which often exhibits the weather of all four seasons in the space of 24 hours.

But get your timings right here and you can crown your bacon and eggs with a glorious sunrise over the La Victoria mountain range right in front of you.

Eighty percent of tourists to this area are we Brits so it is easy to feel at home. There are no nightclubs worth the name in this part of the island so it isn't for young gadabouts - but it is very definitely for everyone else. A major attraction is seven kilometres inland in the shape of Pollensa town (12 euros in a taxi; 1.50 in the brilliant, air-conditioned local bus).

This is a sedate town of narrow cobbled streets clustered around the impressive 13th century church of Nostra Senyora dels Angels.

Well, it's sedate until Sunday.

That's when it goes market-day mad with thousands of visitors, hundreds of stalls selling everything under the sun and brass bands belting out tunes in the square.

It just oozes local colour but if it all becomes a bit much there are dozens of cool back-street bars where you can people-watch and think deep thoughts over a two-euro beer.

If you want something more substantial there is the Clivia restaurant in Via de Pollentia where local cuisine and great fish are the speciality.

Apparently, Prime Minister David Cameron sought it out a couple of years ago but was turned away because it was fully booked.

If it's any comfort, Dave, the sea bass is excellent.

FACTBOX For more Information on accommodation, tourism and activities in and around Pollensa see www.pollensa.com and Pollensa Hotel Association www.enjoypollensa.com Classic Collection Holidays (0800 294 9318) offers holidays and breaks at the 4* Hoposa Hotel Uyal. See www.classic-collection.co.uk and www.hoposa.es/English/Hotels/Hotel-Uyal-Puerto-Pollensa. The Hotel Cala Sant Vicenç is also featured in the Classic Collection Holidays’ Pollensa programme.

Clivia Restaurant www.es-es.facebook.com/Cliviarestaurant Món d´Aventura, specialist sport & activities operator. info@mondaventura.com